Bringing Interactive Learning to

UTHM: Teachers Perspectives

on Selected Interactive Tools for
Language Classrooms

18 November 2015

Interactive Learning and Online

Interactive Tools

Interactive learning => students are

active participants in the learning
process (p.91).
Sessoms

(2008)

Interactive Tools => refers to any

applications or software online that are
able to FACILITATE the interactive
teaching and learning process.

What is the significance of

this study?

The success of an interactive lecture

largely depends on how interactive tools
are integrated effectively into the lesson

Based on literature review on the use of

interactive learning tools (Brady,
Holcomb and Smith, 2010; Bosch, 2009;
Kim and Bonk, 2006), there is a need for
in-depth qualitative data to explain why
lecturers or teachers prefer using certain
interactive tools over others and how

Research Questions

What are the preferred interactive tools

of UTHM language teachers and why?

What are some of the features which

language teachers think should be
included in an interactive tool?

What are the challenges of integrating

Interactive tools in a language
classroom?

Sample

Convenience sampling (UTHM language

teachers)

10 participants-language
lecturers/language teachers

Range teaching experience: 2 - 23 years

Methodology

Interactive Tools introduced

during the workshop

Results right after the WS

Preferred interactive tools

Interactive Tools

Padlet

easy to use

its useful for writing activities

easy, good for discussion

the students can participate and get involved more

in the lesson by giving comments, having
discussions, sharing videos and pictures

check students writing and class discussions.

Todaysmeet

students are keen in using social network and

Whatsapp. So this suits them well

prompt responses from all students at

the same time

ask students to give comments or suggestions on a

topic

quickly check students understanding

on a topic by posting a question

Blendspace

interactive online storage useful for teaching and

learning

It is FREE and looks pretty easy to create rich

multimedia lessons. In addition, I can collect and
organize all my resources in one place and share
them with a single link

Edynco

Im a visual person

as lecture notes and for students to create notes

Result after one semester

Only two out of ten tried out the

interactive tools introduced in the
workshop.

Blendspace and Padlet.

Reason : Convenience (easy to drag),

(brainstorming).

6 out of 10 used Edmodo

Reason : Familiar with the tool, layout

similar to Facebook.

Another participant used Google Drive

and Facebook, and another used
Schoology.

Reason : Easy to communicate and

collect learning evidence.

Similar to FB.

Preferred features in an
interactive tool
Preferred Interactive Tool Features
Quizzes and tests
Language games

Reasons
To evaluate students
Students can have fun while doing
side language practice on their own
Recording functions (audio and
Students will be able to record their
visual)
language usage and allow their
friends,
lecturers
and
even
themselves to evaluate
Feedback function
Students will be able to post
responses and teachers will be
respond to them
Offline Access
Software/tools can be downloaded
and used offline so that lessons can
go on as usual even with weak
Internet
connectivity/no
internet
connection
User-friendly settings
Easy to navigate and use.
One tool integrated with many
No need to use different platforms
useful features tailored to the course for different kinds of activities
needs
Platform for Discussion
Students and teachers can conduct a
virtual discussion on a certain topic

Challenges in the Application

of Interactive tools in the
Poor infrastructure
classroom

Wifi connection itself is sometimes very poor

Not all students afford to have a laptop of their own.

Well, they may have smartphones for them to use.
However, the display is small and I find that it is
inconvenient for students to read materials from their
phone

Challenges in the Application

of Interactive tools in the
Lack of Confidence
classroom

Lack of knowledge on how to apply it (interactive tools) that

makes them less motivated to use it

I am not very used and experienced in using IL. I'll learn later. I
really want to!

Challenges in the Application

of Interactive tools in the
Comfort zone
classroom

I am comfortable using the conventional methods of

teaching

Our comfort and confidence with our core strength,

teaching face-to-face

Challenges in the Application

of Interactive tools in the
classroom
Time Constraints

Limited time to upload materials

and to check on students' work

It takes more time to create

materials for IL. Surely the materials

Challenges in the Application

of Interactive tools in the
Quality of Discussion
classroom

I would think the quality of discussion is poor and (interactive

tool) is used as a means to report in, rather than free flow of well
thought ideas. In most cases the discussion becomes too loose and
drawn out doesnt reflect maturity or critical thinking in place

Concluding thoughts

It doesnt matter what tool you use, just

make sure teaching and learning occur
in a meaningful way.

Each interactive tool has its respective

strengths and weaknesses. Teachers
should be given enough time to explore,
experiment and determine what works
best for them.